Domaine André Brunel
Les Cailloux
"Cuvée Centenaire" 2016
AOC Chateauneuf du Pape

Presse / Kritik
Revue du Vin de France: 97 / 100 Punkte
J. Livingstone-Learmonth: 6 / 6 Sterne
"Refined red robe; there’s a twinning of plum and strawberry on the nose, which is stylish, quite different from the muscular 2015 Centenaire and its obvious strength. It has a juvenile delicacy, and a classy serenity. There are hints of tobacco and garrigue herbs. The palate glides along well, holds lissom content, some inner glow, parades Grenache fineness. Red berry fruits lie low. The balance is top, striking, is a maxi elegant Châteauneuf, with detail in its delivery, small droplets. It has a full, effortless ending. This will not go into closed zones, corners – it will be like 1990, always open and sunny. “it’s almost a meal on its own; it marks the palate,” André Brunel. From 2026-27 to infuse its late glow. 2056-59"
Wine Advocate: 100 / 100 Punkte
"When one comes across a wine like this in a blind tasting, it's human nature to second-guess the initial reaction. Yet every time I went back to the wine that turned out to be the Brunels' 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Centenaire, I came away astounded by its complexity and balance.
Yes, it's full-bodied, but it's also light on its feet, a lithe vinous gymnast, wiry and strong yet graceful and loaded with nuance. The soaring aromas and flavors range from raspberries and cherries through to roses, black tea, thyme and lavender in this incredible wine. I suspect it will rival the legendary 1990 and 1998 versions."
Wine Enthusiast: 96 / 100 Punkte Cellar Selection
"This is a lavishly perfumed Grenache packed with ripe blackberry and plum accented by heady vanilla and violet. It's a yielding, luxuriously textured wine anchored by sunny acidity and ripe, penetrating tannins. Hedonistic already it is capable of improving through 2030 and holding further still."
J. Dunnuck: 97 / 100 Punkte
"The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Centenaire comes exclusively from the northern part of the Farguerol lieu-dit and is just about 100% Grenache that was partially destemmed and brought up in concrete (70%) and demi-muids (30%). It's a thrilling wine that's behind the otherworldly 1990 and 1998 but is in the same league as the 2007 and 2010. With a massive bouquet of kirsch liqueur, crushed flowers, violets, and honeysuckle, it has full body, no hard edges, beautiful purity of fruit, ripe, polished tannin, and a great finish."
Winespectator: 96 / 100 Punkte
Vinous: 96 / 100 Punkte
"Shimmering magenta. Intensely perfumed red fruit, floral and spice qualities on the expressive nose, which takes on a lively mineral element as the wine opens up. Shows outstanding energy and sharp delineation to the sweet raspberry and cherry preserve, candied lavender, spicecake and cola flavors, which are supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Finishes extremely long and smooth, with fine-grained tannins lending shape to repeating red fruit and floral notes. There's something Burgundian, albeit ripe-year Burgundy, happening here that's extremely attractive. Raised in 70% concrete tanks and 30% demi-muids."
Decanter: 96 / 100 Punkte
"Unlike the 2015, this is 100% destemmed. The comparison is marked, this is immediately denser in style, with a touch of cocoa, silk rope tannins and plentiful glycerol on the palate. It's not an overly full-bodied wine, not appearing terribly concentrated at present however it is very harmonious, long and shapely, with real finesse. Drinkable now, but will undoubtedly improve. I would wait."

Das Weingut
Revue du Vin de France 2022: „In Frankreich wenig bekannt, gehört André Brunel dennoch zur Elite der Appellation Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Er produziert rassige Weine, die sich vor allem durch Mineralität und Finesse auszeichnen.“ Bettane + Desseauve 2022: „Die Weine von André Brunel vereinen stets Großzügigkeit, Finesse der Tannine und Frische.“
Die Familie ist seit dem 17.Jh. in der Region Chateauneuf du Pape ansässig. Für diese Zeit ist auch der Kauf einer Weinbergsparzelle vom Bischof von Avignon dokumentiert. Aber erst seit Lucien Brunel 1954 den Namen Les Cailloux kreierte, und André Brunel 1971 mit seiner endlosen Energie die Führung übernahm, entwickelte sich die Domaine qualitativ an die Spitze. Mit Sohn Fabrice setzt sich die Familiengeschichte seit 2012 fort.
Großen Wert legt die Familie schon seit den 1970er Jahren auf nachhaltige Anbaumethoden und war mit der Einführung von Bodendeckern im Weinberg eine der Ersten, die dadurch den Einsatz von chemischen Mitteln reduzieren konnte. Heute werden gar keine Herbizide oder Pestizide mehr verwendet.
André Brunel hat zusätzlich mit der Struktur des Weinguts aufgeteilt in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes-du-Rhone und Vin-de-Pays Vaucluse für eine Qualitäts- und Terroiroffensive gesorgt. Es wird ausschließlich manuell gelesen, um jegliche Spuren von ungesunden Trauben entfernen zu können und das Optimum der Reife abpassen zu können. Es sollen reife aber keinesfalls überreife Trauben geernet werden. Die Weine sollen kraftvoll aber elegant sein.